Networking and Job Search

Cathy Peterson

National Recruiting Manager

Analysts International

Agenda

• Resume Preparation

• Posting online

• Searching for jobs

• Networking for both employed and unemployed

• Questions and Answers

Resume Preparation

• Cyber-safe Resume– For online resumes, limit contact information to

designated email and cell phone number.

• MS Word or HTML text is best.• Hard copy should be printed on white, scannable

paper.• Not more than 2 pages long unless have more

than 15 years in business, then no more than 3 pages MAX.

• Hiring managers prefer chronological resumes as opposed to functional resumes.

Resume Preparation

• Key Words– What are they? Relatively new thinking of writing

resumes so they will come up on searches on the Internet and ATS.

– Should use standard job titles instead of company ones, or use both.

– Names of job-specific,profession-specific, and industry-specific tools that you use or qualified to use including education.

– Names of techniques or methodologies used– Industry and professional organizations that you

belong to including acronym and complete name.

Resume Preparation

• Keywords– Common “insider” words, terms and

acronyms.– Consider adding a section to the top of the

resume titled “skills” or “keywords”.– Some even say to include the word resume in

the title somewhere especially if you have a homepage for those recruiters who do advanced Boolean searches.

– Keywords should be used often for those systems that rank resume based on occurrence of each word.

Resume Preparation

• Write your resume in terms of what you can do for the employer.– Each job should show some type of value-add,

cost savings, revenue contribution, or other benefit the company received for you performing that tasks.

– Don’t use generic team terms for such as “responsible for” or “duties included”; use action words that are individualistic. What was your role as the team member?

Resume Preparation

• One Size does not fit all– Customize your resume for each opportunity. – Yes, it is work, but it shows your direct

experience quickly and easily.– Time spent might be reflection of how

interested in job. – Put yourself in HR shoes who is not likely to

have the industry knowledge – does your resume match?

– Don’t assume anyone will say…..”if he did this job, then he can surely do this one.”

Resume Preparation

• Outline of Resume– Cover letter – needs to be short and very specific to

job applying for…..no summary of job career needed. It’s not likely to be scanned.

– First page • I prefer Summaries over Objectives. Objectives are useful if

changing careers, otherwise skip them.• Skill or Keywords section: each word must be referenced in

body somewhere• Current job with date, title, and location for 15 years back;

summarize for older years.• Education – if you have masters or better should be first

page, but if not, then it should be at end of job experience.

Resume Preparation

• Outline of Resume– Second page

• Continue with jobs• Education if less than Masters• Professional Organizations only• Conferences attended or papers written/presented• References will be available – not necessary but ok if you

want to add• No personal information at all; EEOC will eventually say we

will have to trash resumes that have any kind of information on them like this.

• Remember, not more than 2 pages if less than 15 years, 3 pages max.

Posting Online

• Six Online Job Search Mistakes– Protect your privacy – get private email and

use cell phone. If get an application, then fill it our thoroughly.

– Don’t use your employer’s assets and email account for job search.

• Privacy Foundation 2001 survey said 33% of firms are monitoring your mail….check handbook.

– Send resume as an attachment, not within body of email.

Posting Online

• Six Online Job Search Mistakes– Using a crazy or weird name on your Web-based

email account.• Hackerking@aol.com, Wildwoman@hotmail.com,

CouchPotato@msn.com are not advised.

– Avoid too much information on your resume• No photographs or other personal information• Don’t include everything; be focused

– Avoid too many graphics and multimedia on your resume.

• Remember, it needs to be easily scanned• Disregard if applying for a creative or graphic position, but

then should be on your personal WebPages.

Searching for jobs

• Using the Big boards– Monster.com – the largest by far; used by

most every major employer• Can currently do search without registering, but is

changing that soon• Can keep resume profile private if desired; if

unemployed, then don’t.• Search agents that you can set up to be notified of

new listings.

– Other big ones include Headhunter.net, hotjobs.com, and new one coming out directemployers.com.

Searching for jobs

• Boolean searches for those niche sites– Prefer altavista.com or copernic.com– Go to advanced search and enter in a string

similar to this:skill AND location AND (job OR apply) =

fiber-optic AND (texas OR tx) AND (job OR apply)

• Professional organization websites have great links to other jobs; check both national and local pages if applicable

• Career Books: see CareerXroads handout

Networking

• Christmas can be a jolly time to network– US Department of Labor states December,

January and February are actually the 3 best hiring months.

– Many people wait until January or Feb. to look for a new job so you have less competition in December.

– Lots of parties are held during the holidays – great time to network when people are in the giving mood.

– Allows for you to visit contacts or friends you haven’t seen in awhile

Networking

• For the employed– Self-promotion is networking within your own

organization. “If you can’t promote yourself, then how do you expect others too.”

– Know who has the power to promote you and make sure your networking efforts familiarize that person with your work.

– Send email messages to your supervisor describing activities and accomplishments.

– Always look for additional projects that you can take on even in other departments if appropriate.

Networking

• For both employed and unemployed– Become officers or committee chairpersons in

professional organizations. – Try to get on a corporate or non-profit board; check for

advisory boards in your local governments or schools. – Get on Headhunter’s A-lists – establish relationships

with a few reputable ones; give referrals when asked and it will be remembered if you ever need it.

– Find a mentor, the ultimate network contact. A mentor is someone who is committed to you and deeply interested in your success.

– Volunteer to write articles, speak at conferences, or groups. It usually requires a recommendation or an application.

Networking

• For the unemployed– Find a Recruiter’s network for the area you are

interested in….. Send me an email and I will post your resume.

– Temporary work is a great arena for networking; approach firms that have hiring freezes and see if they have any contract or short term jobs.

– Network through your kids – soccer games, PTA meetings, volunteer for school projects. Don’t be afraid to let people know you are searching for a position.

Networking

• For the unemployed– Start a job search or networking club in your industry

or field. Be willing to share ideas and other jobs you have found. “To have a friend, is to be a friend.”

– Include the “gatekeepers” in your network• Secretaries, receptionists, and administrative assistants can

be your best friend as you network. • Learn their names and make friendly conversation with them.• Many of them “run the company” anyway and have great

influential powers.• Many of them also where different hats so they come across

administrative assistants, but could also be resume screeners and ones who set first interviews up.

Networking

• For the unusual– Real-estate agents know who is moving in and out of

town first– Holiday travel – who is sitting next you on plane?– Nail or hair salons– In line at a grocery store– Clubs centered around hobbies– Sporting events – who is sitting next to you?– Book stores/coffee shops– Church functions – look for career resources or start one– Reading business section – Toastmasters– Golf – don’t get four people you know, go as single

Questions and Answers

• Don’t be afraid to ask, I love the challenge.

• Had a difficult question that you didn’t know how to answer?

• Need resume advice, send me your resume and I will critique it.

• What else?

THANK YOU

Cathy Peterson

Cathypeterson@analysts.com

972-406-5077